Sizing system for boots and shoes and article therefor

ABSTRACT

A shoe and boot sizing system includes within a shoe or boot, a first insole insert having a compactable material, wherein the first insole insert provides a first predetermined fit size range within the shoe or boot for a manufactured new condition and a second predetermined fit size range within the shoe or boot for an altered condition and a second insole insert is configured to be disposed beneath the first insole insert and upon the insole which when inserted provides approximately a half size decrease to the size of the respective shoe and boot.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to shoes and, more particularly, to a sizing system for boots and shoes and article therefor, wherein the shoes have a sheepskin lining or the like. The system has multiple components that permit the boot or shoe to adjust in size to the wearer's foot without sacrificing comfort or fit as the sheepskin lining compacts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

It is not uncommon for foot length versus shoe length to vary by country as well as manufacturer. The size of the left and right foot can vary for many people.

Typically, each shoe or boot is suitable for a small interval of foot lengths. The length of the inner cavity of a shoe must typically be 1.5-2 cm longer than the length of the foot. There are three typical lengths that a shoe-size system can refer to:

a) The average length of foot for which a shoe is suitable. For customers, this measure has the advantage of being directly related to their feet. It applies equally to any type, form, or material of shoe. However, this measure is less popular with manufacturers, as it requires them to test carefully for each new shoe model, for which range of foot sizes it is recommendable. It puts on the manufacturer the burden of ensuring that the shoe will fit a foot of a given length.

b) The length of the inner cavity of the shoe. This measure has the advantage that it can be measured easily on the finished product. However, it will vary with manufacturing tolerances and provides the customer only very crude information about the range of foot sizes for which the shoe is suitable.

c) The length of the “last”, the foot-shaped template over which the shoe is manufactured. This measure is the easiest one for the manufacturer to use, as it identifies only the tool used to produce the shoe. It makes no promise about manufacturing tolerances or for what size of foot the shoe is actually suitable. It leaves all responsibility and risk of choosing the correct size with the customer.

These measures differ substantially from each other for the same shoe. One common set of length units used today to define shoe-size systems are Millimeter (mm)=0.04 inch and Centimeter (cm)=10 mm=0.39 inch. For example, in France, Germany, and most other European countries, the traditional shoe size is the length of the last. Shoe size in the United States and Canada is based on the length of the last, measured in barleycorns, minus a constant. This constant differs for shoes intended for men, women and children. A number of other ad-hoc notations for width or girth are also used. A manufacturer thus far had to adopt a sizing system which it felt would accommodate the market to which it sold its shoes or boots.

There exist a number of various after market inserts for shoes or boots which include, for example, shoe inserts that can be self modified (by cutting to size) to fit the shoe/boot sizes. These inserts are commonly used for padding and deodorizers within shoes for personal hygiene and personal comfort. A primary purpose of such insert is to keep inner soles of shoes sanitary and to prolong life of shoe by protecting it from soils and odors. Another feature is their disposability so individuals who would prefer not to wear socks or stockings can do so and still keep shoes fresh and clean especially during the summer months.

Many shoes and boots are particularly challenged in achieving a uniform sizing from one set of shoes to another. This is due to the particular material from which the shoes/boots are made, wherein the material is highly susceptible to stretching and compacting from their finished manufactured new condition. In the case of shoes and boots made of sheepskin, there is a need for an improved sizing system. The present invention aims at overcoming the deficiencies in sizing for such shoes and boots.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to improve shoe and boot sizing systems.

It is an object to provide a sheepskin shoe and boot sizing system and article therefor.

It is another object to provide a package having components enabling proper sizing for sheepskin shoes and boots.

Another object is to improve the method of sizing boots and shoes, particularly those made of sheepskin or the like.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a shoe and boot sizing system. The system includes within a shoe or boot, a first insole insert having a compactable material, wherein the first insole insert provides a first predetermined fit size range within the shoe or boot for a manufactured new condition and a second predetermined fit size range within the shoe or boot for an altered condition. A second insole insert is provided which is configured to be disposed beneath the first insole insert and upon the insole which when inserted provides approximately a half size decrease to the size of the respective shoe and boot. The system can further include packaging upon which instructional indicia is imprinted to show the use of the insole inserts. The boot or shoe can include an animal fur, such as sheepskin, and the first insert includes a complementary fur (sheepskin) extending from a top surface and includes a bottom surface to be disposed adjacent the insole.

A method according to the invention includes the steps of providing a boot or shoe, providing a first insole insert having a compactable material within the shoe or boot, wherein the first insole insert provides a first predetermined fit size range for a manufactured new condition and a second predetermined fit size range for an altered condition, and providing a second insole insert which is configured to be disposed beneath the first insole insert and upon the insole which when inserted provides approximately a half size decrease to the respective shoe and boot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a side sectional view elements of the invention in one mode.

FIG. 1B depicts a side sectional view one insert of the invention in new condition.

FIG. 1C depicts a side view elements of the invention in another mode.

FIG. 1D depicts a side sectional view the insert of FIG. 1B in altered condition.

FIG. 1E depicts a side sectional view another insert of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of insert components of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of insert components of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a package showing an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the system of the present invention is generally referred to by the numeral 10. The system 10 includes within a shoe or boot (hereinafter both of which are generally referred to as a shoe 12), a first insole insert 14 having a compactable material 16, wherein the first insole insert 14 has an area RN as seen in FIG. 1B for a new condition and an area RA for the altered condition (e.g., used) as seen in FIG. 1D. When the first insole insert 14 is inserted into the shoe 12, there is provided a first predetermined fit size range R1 for a manufactured new condition and a second predetermined fit size range R2 for an altered condition.

In many instances the fit may be or become sloppy. In such case, the altered condition utilizes a second insole insert 18 configured with a top surface 26 to be disposed beneath and adjacent the first insole insert 14 and has a bottom surface 28 disposed upon the insole 20. The top surface 26 includes printed sizing indicia 27, here by way of example showing U.S. Men 7/Women 8, indicating that the second insole insert 18 is to be used in a men's size 7 shoe and women's size 8 shoe. When inserted, the second insole insert 18 defines and area R3 which provides approximately a half shoe size decrease to the size of the respective shoe 12. The second insole insert 18 can be constructed of a relatively supportive material such as a dense polyfoam or other suitable material to achieve the intended functions herein (i.e., sizing as well as comfort) and can include covering which is print receptive to enable indicia 27 printed thereon.

This system 10 is important since the shoe 12 can include an animal fur, such as sheepskin, and the first insole insert 14 can include a fur (sheepskin) 16. In this regard, the first insole insert 14 can include a relatively supportive polymer material, such as a polyfoam, having a formed arch support 25 therein, and have the sheepskin 16 bonded to a top surface 22 and includes a bottom surface 24 to be disposed adjacent the insole 20. Thus, the shoe 12 can be readily adjusted to accommodate size deviations due to inherent stretching or compacting of the material or to account for deviations in size from one set of shoes to another as well as aid in achieving proper fit.

The system 10 can further include package 30 for containing a pair of shoes 12, a pair of each said first insole insert 14 and second insole insert 18. The package 30 can include instructional indicia 32 imprinted to show the use of the insole inserts 14 and 18.

A method according to the invention includes the steps of providing a boot or shoe, providing a first insole insert having a compactable material within the boot or shoe, wherein the first insole insert provides a first predetermined fit size range for a new condition and a second predetermined fit size range for an altered condition, and providing a second insole insert which is configured to be disposed beneath the first insole insert and upon the insole which when inserted provides approximately a half size decrease to the respective shoe and boot.

The insole inserts 14 and 18 are comfortable and can include materials that absorb moisture from the feet. They can also be manufactured in such a way as to combat odor as well as well as absorb perspiration.

While the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be a practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention which is, therefore, not to be limited except as set forth in the claims hereinafter and within the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A shoe sizing system for a shoe having an insole, which includes: a first insole insert having a compactable material disposed within the shoe adjacent the insole thereof, wherein a first predetermined fit size range within the shoe is provided when said first insole insert in a manufactured new condition and a second predetermined fit size range within the shoe is provided when said first insole insert in an altered condition; and a second insole insert configured to be disposed beneath said first insole insert and upon the insole of the shoe which when inserted provides approximately a half size decrease to size of said shoe.
 2. The system of claim 1, further including a package for containing a pair of shoes, a pair of each said first and second inserts.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said package further includes instructional indicia thereon for use of said inserts.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said shoe is of a predetermined size and said second insole insert includes printed indicia thereon complementary to the shoe size to provide the half size decrease in the shoe.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said shoe includes sheepskin and said first insole insert includes sheepskin.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first insole insert includes a polyfoam layer having said sheepskin connected thereto.
 7. A method for sizing a shoe includes said steps of: providing a shoe; providing a first insole insert having a compactable material disposed within the shoe adjacent the insole thereof, wherein a first predetermined fit size range within the shoe is provided when said first insole insert in a manufactured new condition and a second predetermined fit size range within the shoe is provided when said first insole insert in an altered condition; and providing a second insole insert configured to be disposed beneath said first insole insert and upon said insole which when inserted provides approximately a half size decrease to said shoe. 